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Bentley’s Torcal Is Its Quickest And Most Powerful Car Ever, Just Don’t Ask About Its Porsche Cousin

  • Bentley confirms the new Torcal EV SUV will be the company’s quickest-ever accelerating car.
  • Instead of going for outright horsepower, Bentley says the focus is on its signature comfort.
  • The Torcal will feature 850 hp from two electric motors and will be built on the VW PPE base.

Bentley has spent the last few months drip-feeding us info about their upcoming Torcal EV. But the British marque has given the hype machine one last squeeze ahead of its unveiling, confirming that the new platform-shared SUV will officially be the company’s most powerful production car, as well as its quickest-accelerating.

We also got a couple of new teaser photos, which showcase a portion of the hood, front wing, and A-pillar, revealing a mini-Bentayga-esque feel to the overall design, and a shot of the trunk with the winged “B” logo.

Read: Bentley’s Torcal Is Basically A Mid-Grade Cayenne Electric With 850 HP And A British Accent

 Bentley’s Torcal Is Its Quickest And Most Powerful Car Ever, Just Don’t Ask About Its Porsche Cousin
Bentley

Power-wise, Autocar has already confirmed that the Torcal is set to offer 850 hp (634 kW / 862 PS), dethroning the 771-hp Continental GT Speed, although the latter remains top dog for combustion-powered machinery. That 850-hp figure isn’t surprising for those who know what underpins the car. The Bentley Torcal is based on the VW Group’s PPE (Premium Platform Electric) base, which underpins multiple electric offerings from both Audi and Porsche. It uses 800V architecture, and we’ve seen up to 1,139 hp deployed in Porsche’s Cayenne Turbo Electric.

With that in mind, their latest tidbit of info appears to be framing the Torcal’s output figures in a way that gets ahead of those wondering why it’s “only” 850 hp. Granted, the word “only” in that last sentence is doing a lot of heavy lifting, but in a world of 1000hp+ EVs, could this actually be a bother to clients?

Quick But Comfortable

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Bentley says the Torcal isn’t merely chasing numbers, and while it will be the brand’s quickest-accelerating model, they reaffirm to us that it will be comfort-focused, in line with what customers expect. The distinct Bentley “feeling” is something that the company goes to great pains to reinforce.

The skeptical among us, though, will remain somewhat unconvinced. In addition to the car sharing the same platform as the Cayenne Electric, the drivetrain is a bit of a hodgepodge of other VW Group bits. The Torcel will reportedly use the front motor from the Audi Q6 e-tron, and the rear motor from the Cayenne Electric. Meanwhile, the 113 kWh battery will also be shared with the Cayenne.

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Of course, we expect the interior to be one of the main differentiators, with Ombre wood trim, 100% Merino wool upholstery (a world’s first), and a curved infotainment system all confirmed for the Torcal. You can also expect a sub-3.0-second 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) time, a limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h), air suspension, four-wheel steering, and active anti-roll bars.

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Bentley’s Torcal Is Basically A Mid-Grade Cayenne Electric With 850 HP And A British Accent

  • Bentley officials have released preliminary specs for the Torcal EV.
  • PPE-based crossover has a 113 kWh battery and around 850 hp.
  • Model weighs roughly 6,000 lbs and has a WLTP range of 370 miles.

Bentley has spent the past few months revealing minor details about the upcoming Torcal. Now, we’re starting to learn specifications ahead of the crossover’s unveiling next month.

While we already knew the model would ride on the PPE platform and share a lot in common with the Porsche Cayenne Electric, Autocar recently took a spin in a prototype. During the preview, officials confirmed the Torcal has a dual-motor all-wheel drive system that produces around 850 hp (634 kW / 862 PS).

More: Bentley’s Torcal Will Offer Something No Other Automobile Has

That’s slightly above our estimate of 800 hp (597 kW / 811 PS), but it still slots nicely between the 657 hp (490 kW / 666 PS) Cayenne S Electric and 1,139 hp (849 kW / 1,155 PS) Cayenne Turbo Electric. This likely means the crossover will rocket from 0-60 mph in the low three second range and have a limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).

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The crossover uses a front motor sourced from the Audi Q6 e-tron, while the rear motor hails from the Cayenne Electric. It also borrows the latter model’s 113 kWh battery pack and this is said to give it a WLTP range of approximately 370 miles (595 km). Unsurprisingly, the crossover is expected to weigh around 5,952 lbs (2,700 kg). For comparison, the Cayenne S Electric comes in at 5,695 lbs (2,583 kg).

Other highlights are slated to include an air suspension, four-wheel steering, and active anti-roll bars. The company has also previously confirmed the model will offer a mood selector, Ombre wood trim, 100% Merino wool upholstery, and a curved infotainment system.

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Bentley’s Torcal Will Offer Something No Other Automobile Has

  • The Bentley Torcal will offer 100% Merino wool.
  • Electric crossover will also have Ombre wood trim.
  • Debuts next month and will cost around $225,000.

Bentley will unveil their fully electric Torcal a little over a month from now. As part of an effort to build excitement, the company is slowly trickling out details.

The latest update focuses on the interior and reveals the crossover will have something no other automobile offers – 100% Merino wool. As the company explained, the luxurious material is celebrated for its “softness, warmth and natural elegance,” but hasn’t been used in automotive applications due to durability concerns.

More: Bentley Showcases High-Tech Interior For New Torcal EV

Bentley wanted to address that, so they teamed up with Fox Brothers. The British firm specializes in cloth, flannel, and tweed, and they were tapped to develop a special material for the Torcal. It’s the “world’s first 100 percent Merino wool automotive fabric capable of meeting the exacting demands of a luxury vehicle” and is also the “first automotive wool fabric to achieve 100 percent certification by the Responsible Wool Standard.”

The Merino wool interior will be offered in “six carefully curated colorways” and Bentley said each “combines complementary tones from the same color family, creating depth, harmony and a contemporary sense of sophistication.”

Besides talking about wool, Bentley revealed the Torcal will usher in a new Ombre Veneer. It’s created from “sustainably sourced walnut off-cuts” and recycled paper.

Up to 1,000 individually selected layers are pressed together, before being sliced less than a millimeter thick. The company said, “Four distinct walnut shades flow naturally from deep black through dark smoke and light smoke before revealing the richness of natural walnut. The result is both contemporary and timeless: a striking expression of modern luxury rooted in traditional craftsmanship.”

Customers will also find a new option known as Sunburst Aluminum by Mulliner. It’s billed as a reinterpretation of the classic engine-turned aluminum dashboards of the past.

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As for the Torcal itself, it’s essentially a Porsche Cayenne Electric that went to Oxford. This means it’s instantly recognizable, despite having unique front and rear ends. The model will also sport an ultra-luxury interior with a curved display as well as a mood selector.

Powertrain details remain a mystery, but the Cayenne has a 113 kWh battery pack, a 390 kW DC fast charging capability, and outputs of 435 hp (324 kW / 441 PS), 657 hp (490 kW / 666 PS), and 1,139 hp (849 kW / 1,155 PS). The Bentley will presumably have around 800 hp (597 kW / 811 PS), but we’ll find out for sure on September 23.

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Bentley Torcal Shows Off Its Rear Seat And Mood Selector

  • The Bentley Torcal will have a new Curation Engine.
  • It’s essentially a mood selector with four different settings.
  • The system adjusts lighting, sounds, airflow and displays.

Most cars have drive modes, but Bentley is mixing things up with a Curation Engine in the Torcal. It’s essentially a mood selector that adjusts the “atmosphere of the entire cabin.”

The automaker isn’t saying much at this point, but said the system is “grounded in sensory neuroscience” and changes based on the journey ahead. As they explained, “Light, sound, climate, air quality and digital information work together in harmony, creating four distinct environments designed to support different moods, moments and states of mind.”

More: Bentley Showcases High-Tech Interior For New Torcal EV

Bentley Mode is the default setting and it promises to deliver a “warm, dynamic and perfectly balanced” environment. That’s vague, but the teaser video suggests the ambient lighting system will change to a subtle orange color. The automaker also said the mode blends comfort with real engagement and is “unmistakably driver-focused.”

Comfort Mode aims to reduce distractions and encourage relaxation. As part of this effort, interior lighting is softened and some appears to be completely turned off. The automaker also mentioned a “digital detox setting,” which limits the amount of information you’re shown.

Sport Mode goes in a different direction as it encourages “intent and engagement.” When selected, drivers can expect a “more immersive” sound track as well as brighter illumination that appears to have some animation. Bentley said it’s “designed to make every input feel more immediate, every reaction more precise, and every journey more rewarding.”

Lastly, there’s a Refresh Mode that aims to fight fatigue and increase awareness on long trips. It promises a “lighter, cleaner and more invigorating” atmosphere thanks to bright lighting and a focus on fresh air.

Besides talking about the Curation Engine, Bentley released a new video that gives us a better look inside the ultra-luxury crossover. While we’ve already seen the curved infotainment system on multiple occasions, the latest images show circular air vents with recessed carbon fiber trim. Other sections reveal a wood-lined center console and knurled switchgear.

The clip also gives us our first look at the rear seat, which has a two-tone design that appears to combine premium leather with microsuede upholstery. A closer inspection reveals black door handles with a subtle “B” shape. Elsewhere, there’s a Naim audio system with bronze speaker grilles featuring a geometric pattern.

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As we’ve previously reported, the Torcal will ride on the PPE platform and have a lot in common with the Porsche Cayenne Electric. The two models have a similar profile, but the Bentley has unique front and rear ends.

Powertrain details remain elusive, but the Cayenne has a 113 kWh battery pack, a 390 kW DC fast charging capability, and outputs of 435 hp (324 kW / 441 PS), 657 hp (490 kW / 666 PS), and 1,139 hp (849 kW / 1,155 PS). The Bentley will presumably have around 800 hp (597 kW / 811 PS) and the company has already confirmed it will be capable of getting 100 miles (161 km) of range in as little as seven minutes.

We’ll learn more on September 23, but the Torcal is expected to cost $200,000 to $250,000 when it arrives in the United States in the third quarter of 2027.

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Bentley Showcases High-Tech Interior For New Torcal EV

  • Bentley has teased the interior of the upcoming Torcal EV.
  • Model sports curved displays and diamond-shaped accents.
  • Crossover will have a unique “floating diamond grille.”

The teaser campaign for the Bentley Torcal is kicking into high gear as the company has released a new clip that showcases the interior. The ultra-luxury brand has also released a few new details about their first electric vehicle.

Starting outside, the automaker said the crossover will have a “jewel-like floating diamond grille” that “transforms a functional necessity into a captivating design statement – one that is unmistakably Bentley and unlike anything else on the road.” The video doesn’t give us a very good look at it, but the grille is expected to echo the one found on the EXP 15 concept.

More: Bentley’s Electric SUV Has An Ultra-Lux Interior With Curved Displays

Bentley also provided a peek at the three dimensional taillights, which have a diamond pattern. The pointy shape is a bit of a theme for the Torcal and the company noted the historical design feature has been “reinterpreted for a new era.”

The automaker went on to say they teamed up with Cumbria Crystal to commission “bespoke hand-cut crystal objects designed specifically for the project.” Details are limited, but the company suggested the crystals will be illuminated to create a “distinctive visual signature rich in depth, movement and texture.”

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Putting marketing hyperbole aside, we can see the crossover will have sculpted door panels with an interesting ridge-like pattern. Elsewhere, there are knurled climate controls and a rotary dial with a start/stop button. They’re joined by physical buttons as well as dedicated Sport and Comfort modes.

The latest pictures also give us another look at the crossover’s curved infotainment system. It features a portrait orientation as well as a lower bar that shows climate and seat information.

While there isn’t much else to see, previous spy photos have shown the model will have a three-spoke steering wheel with wing-like stalks similar to the Audi Q3. The right side has a shifter, while the left side has an assortment of light and wiper controls.

Well-heeled customers will also find a curved digital instrument cluster and circular air vents. They’ll be joined by real metal accents and a wide swath of wood trim on the passenger side dashboard.

Performance specifications remain mysterious, but the Torcal will ride on the PPE platform that underpins an assortment of models including the Porsche Cayenne Electric. It sports a 113 kWh battery pack, a 390 kW DC fast charging capability, and outputs of 435 hp (324 kW / 441 PS), 657 hp (490 kW / 666 PS), and 1,139 hp (849 kW / 1,155 PS). The Bentley will likely fall somewhere in between the latter two numbers and the company has already confirmed the model will be capable of getting 100 miles (161 km) of range in as little as seven minutes.

A debut is scheduled for September 23 and the model will arrive in the United States in the third quarter of 2027. When it does, it’s expected to start around $200,000 to $250,000.

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Most EVs Fake V8 Sounds. Bentley’s Torcal Plays One On Viola And Drums

  • Bentley skipped synthetic engine noise for its first electric car.
  • Drums, viola, and bass guitar shaped the finished soundtrack.
  • The brand says rhythm matters more than recreating engine noise.

Automakers developing EVs have all been wrestling with the same question: how do you replace the emotional engagement of a great-sounding engine? Hyundai, Porsche, BMW, Dodge, and others have turned to synthesized engine notes pumped through speakers. Bentley, however, believes it’s chasing the wrong answer. Rather than trying to replicate the sound of an actual engine, the British luxury brand thinks a drummer might be the key to making its first EV feel special.

Bentley calls the soundtrack for its upcoming all-electric Torcal SUV the “Bentley Dynamic Symphony,” and unlike many of its rivals, the company insists it isn’t trying to fool drivers into thinking they’re behind the wheel of a V8. Instead, it says the goal was to capture the same emotional response that has defined its combustion-powered cars for decades.

Beyond The Engine

 Most EVs Fake V8 Sounds. Bentley’s Torcal Plays One On Viola And Drums

The thinking behind this choice might make more sense than it could initially seem. Bentley’s engineers recorded and analyzed its iconic V8 in a studio. What they decided in the end was that it wasn’t the exhaust note itself, but rather the rhythm that was special. That’s what led to the automaker setting up a pair of parabolic speakers. One played recordings of the V8 while a drummer performed via the other.

Read: Bentley Just Named Its First EV, And It Isn’t Barnato

 Most EVs Fake V8 Sounds. Bentley’s Torcal Plays One On Viola And Drums
Bentley’s first teaser for the Torcal EV.

Walking between the two, engineers say they found similarities in the cadence, energy, and emotional impact of both. They also concluded that the subtle imperfections shared by drumming and combustion engines help create a more authentic, human experience. Armed with those findings, Bentley didn’t set out to recreate an engine note.

Strings Rather Than Pipes

At this stage, Bentley commissioned musicians to compose an original soundtrack using live instruments including drums, viola, and bass guitar. The resulting sound responds to the driver’s throttle inputs, rising and falling with acceleration while aiming to deliver the same sense of occasion buyers have come to expect from the brand’s V8-powered models. Bentley says the tempo increases under acceleration and eases back as the driver lifts off.

It’s tough to say how successful it’ll be, but there’s no denying that the noise it creates will be unique. The entire approach is unique. Perhaps it’ll hit home with well-heeled buyers who love the symphony. Maybe the notes will fall flat. Only time will tell.

The soundtrack is one piece of a larger puzzle Bentley is assembling for its first EV that makes its debut on September 23 in London. The Torcal will sit below the Bentayga riding on the Volkswagen Group’s PPE electric architecture, the same platform used by the Porsche Cayenne Electric. It’s expected to bring dual-motor all-wheel drive, a 113kWh battery, charging speeds of up to 390kW, and more than 300 miles of range, with Bentley prioritizing effortless real-world usability over headline numbers.

 Most EVs Fake V8 Sounds. Bentley’s Torcal Plays One On Viola And Drums
Photos: Bentley

Bentley Just Named Its First EV, And It Isn’t Barnato

  • Bentley’s first production EV is called Torcal, named after a limestone landscape in Spain.
  • Sub-Bentayga-sized Torcal shares platform and hardware with Porsche Cayenne Electric.
  • Design expected to borrow heavily from last year’s radical EXP 15 fastback SUV concept.

After years of concepts, spy shots and shifting electrification plans, Bentley has finally put a name to its first production EV. Meet the Torcal, a new electric luxury SUV that will make its public debut in London on September 23 and will open an entirely new chapter for the British luxury brand.

Like the Bentayga, Bacalar and Batur, the Torcal – not Barnato, as some had predicted – gets its name from a famous natural landmark. In this case, it’s El Torcal de Antequera in southern Spain, a landscape known for its dramatic limestone formations. Bentley also points out that the name traces back to the Latin word torquere, linking it to the modern word torque.

Related: Mansory Charges Bentley Owners To Do This, Bentley Now Does It In-House

What’s more important than the name, though, is what the Torcal represents. It’s Bentley’s fourth standalone model line, joining the Continental GT, Flying Spur and Bentayga, and its only fully electric offering.

Company boss Frank Steffen Walliser claims it “sets extraordinary benchmarks in every area that matters” and “may just be the most considered car in our history,” though he could just mean he considered axing it every time he saw tumbling EV sales figures for the US market.

Last Year’s EXP 15 Dropped Big Clues

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Bentley is still keeping most of the important details under wraps, but a confirmed length of under 5 m (197 inches) means it sits below the Bentayga in the lineup in terms of size. We also know it will feature Bentley’s next design language, which debuted on last year’s EXP 15 fastback SUV concept (seen above) and introduced a monolithic look and a return to upright grilles. And the interior will mix traditional Bentley luxury with unusual curved displays and an Audi multifunction column stalk.

Under the skin, it shares its hardware and platform with the Porsche Cayenne Electric. That means an 800 volt architecture that can add 100 miles (160 km) of range in seven minutes, and probably 108 kWh net of battery capacity. Design boss Robin Paige told Autocar to expect 300-350 miles (483-563 km) of range.

Could Have Up To 1,139 HP

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Bentley hasn’t revealed power outputs yet – it says we’ll find out more in the weeks ahead – but we can be sure that dual motors and all-wheel drive will be standard. If it lifts its motors directly from the Cayenne Electric, the Torcal could start with 402 hp (408 PS / 300 kW) and top out at 1,139 hp (1,156 PS / 850 kW).

The Torcal won’t replace the Bentayga, but will be sold alongside it. Bentley has already confirmed the gasoline SUV will live on with another generation later this decade as the company embraces a slower transition toward electrification. Instead, the Torcal is designed to broaden the lineup, giving the brand’s SUV buyers another choice rather than forcing them into an EV.

 Bentley Just Named Its First EV, And It Isn’t Barnato

Bentley

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